November 27, 2013

Jason Witten finally being used as a red zone target

The knock Cowboys tight end Jason Witten for years as that he caught a lot of passes but didn't score a lot of touchdowns. But don't blame Witten, blame the Cowboys for not using the big tight end in the red zone.

The Cowboys put an emphasis on it in the off season and its finally paying off in 2013. Witten has 51 catches for 569 yards and six touchdowns after two red zone scores against the Giants last Sunday.

"You got to stay away from that," Witten said with smile when asked if the coaches would have listened to him sooner about being used in the red zone. "It all about executing down there and finding ways to make plays and just that was an emphasis for me and for our football team being better in the red zone. I think we did a good job."

Witten is only the fourth tight end in league history with ten consecutive seasons of 50 or more catches. He now has 50 career touchdowns, the ninth tight end in league history and the fifth player in Cowboys history to do so.

"It does feel good," Witten said about the touchdown mark. "I think that was an area of focus we put a lot of time on, I personally spent a lot of time on that. It’s good to see your career unfold that way. More than anything to see yourself make a big play to help your team. More than the catches or anything like that, its special to help your team win. That’s more special than the milestone."

Coach Jason Garrett said it's good to see Witten involved in that area of the field, too.

"He’s made some plays, not only close to the end zone but also from out a little bit, which has been a positive thing," he said. "You know, for a number of years, Witt was the master of getting tackled at the 1. The players used to kill him on it. But he’s found his way to get in the end zone a little bit more."